Grain bin indicator



July 5, 1949.

A. UNRUH GRAIN BIN INDICATOR Filed March 9, 1948 whim. 46/116007 MMvw/v Patented July 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAIN BIN INDICATOR Abraham M. Unruh, Sterling, 0010.

Application March 9, 1948, Serial No. 13,929

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a grain bin indicating signal, that is, to an indicating device for giving a visible signal or indication when a grain bin or elevator has been filled or emptied to a certain point, and has for its principal object the provision of a simple, positive, and inexpensive device which can be quickly and easily installed in the wall of a bin, tank, elevator, or the like, and which will operate by the grain in the bin to give a visible signal without the use of electrical connections of any nature.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an outside face view of the improved indicating signal in the filled position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the indicating signal of Fig. 1, taken on the line 22, Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a similar section, illustrating the indicator in the empty position.

In the drawing, the wall of a typical bin or elevator is indicated at II). The improved indicator is installed by forming an opening II in the wall I and covering the external orifice of this opening by means of a sheet metal pocket I2. The pocket I2 extends through the bin wall I0 and is secured to the wall by means of two side flanges I3 and suitable attachment devices I 4. The attachment devices, of course, depend upon the nature of the wall I 0. They may be Wood screws, toggle bolts, expansion shells, or any other suitable attachment devices.

The pocket l2 has two triangular side walls and a front wall which extends upwardly and outwardly at a rather steep angle to an inclined top plate I5. The top plate joins the front plate at an angle of substantially 90 and is provided with a rectangular opening I6. A hinge wire or rod I'I extends across the inside of the pocket I2 above the upper edge of the opening I6 and swingingly supports a rectangular valve plate I8.

The plate I8 is preferably formed from relatively light sheet metal and is attached to the rod H by rolling its upper edge around the rod, as shown in Fig. 3. The plate I8 conforms in shape to the opening I6 and is of larger dimension than the opening so that it cannot swing through the latter.

A signal tab I9 is secured to the plate I8 adjacent its hinged edge and extends outwardly therefrom at a comparatively wide angle, as

shown in Fig. 3. The signal tab is of a size which will pass through the opening I6 and its under face is preferably painted or enameled some bright, contrasting color such as red or yellow, so that it will be easily visible.

When the bin is empty, the tab will swing below the pocket l2 so that it will not be visible as shown in Fig. 3. When the bin is filled, as shown in Fig. 2, the weight of the grain rolling against the plate I8 will force it outwardly and upwardly to close the opening I6. When in this position, the tab I9 projects so as to be easily visible to an operator standing below the pocket 20.

It is desired to call attention to the simplicity of this device, there being only one positively operated and cheaply constructed moving part.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claim, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is:

A filling indicator for grain bins comprising: A pocket secured over an opening in the wall of the bin and extending outwardly from the exterior thereof; two triangular side plates, there being one side plate closing each side of said pocket; an outwardly and upwardly inclined front plate, and an inwardly and upwardly inclined top plate, the front and top plates forming an angle of substantially with each other, there being an opening in said top plate; a swinging flap valve plate pivotally suspended from a point above said opening and on the interior of said pocket so that it may swing against the inside of said top plate to close said opening; and a signal tab rigidly secured to the outer face of said valve and extending outwardly therefrom at an angle, said valve being of a size greater than said opening, said tab being of a size less than said opening so that when said valve is open said tab will swing into the interior of said pocket so as to be invisible and when said valve is swung against the inside face of said top plate by the pressure of grain within said bin, said tab will project through said opening and upwardly therefrom to give a visible signal indication.

ABRAHAM M. UNRUH.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Swanson Jan. 26, 1909 Number 

